tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56365662024-03-07T17:04:13.794-05:00Thoughts That Get Stuck in My HeadHumor, entertainment, and geekery.<br><i>Still #1 in Colbert Fan Fiction!</i><br>Looking for my books? Fly on over to <a href="https://bysuelondon.com/">bysuelondon.com</a>.Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.comBlogger1225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-69282686597568964812023-05-17T21:28:00.006-05:002023-05-17T21:28:31.656-05:00Sue London Writes<p> Yesterday I published my 26th (I think, it's hard to keep up) book, To Woo a Rake. You can grab it on your favorite <a href="https://books2read.com/u/4EJzKY" target="_blank">book e-tailer</a>.</p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-68454395061307259332023-05-07T09:00:00.006-05:002023-05-07T09:00:00.139-05:00Beth Cato Knows Cheese<p>Hi, I'm Beth Cato, an author with a passion for cheese. I connected with Sue on Twitter because of cheese, because that's what that divine dairy coagulation does: brings things and people together. I'm honored to have been invited here to make a guest post on this God and Cheese Day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc7Uv2-wr1n0-FfaXFxM3lbew_y2xD8I_wgQ--4YVte22PC6Y8zGdp2xC7slsf1I6WGp9hhkN7XzyQjfpcP1bxa7J3jLuVhsF5VLhqbpZHVfdxQZ4cNSOitCxx_Sx0UqpYY079k8htVplYyb1SYX5XfDmS8DINPR2GQTXAuin3RvK7wsCHg/s512/Zabars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc7Uv2-wr1n0-FfaXFxM3lbew_y2xD8I_wgQ--4YVte22PC6Y8zGdp2xC7slsf1I6WGp9hhkN7XzyQjfpcP1bxa7J3jLuVhsF5VLhqbpZHVfdxQZ4cNSOitCxx_Sx0UqpYY079k8htVplYyb1SYX5XfDmS8DINPR2GQTXAuin3RvK7wsCHg/s320/Zabars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I've always loved cheese, but I didn't discover the artisanal stuff until my adult years. After a few years of trying new cheeses here and there, I realized I should start tracking my effort so that I would know when I had something new and what pairings worked best. This was both a good idea and also a case of, 'Oh no, what have I done?' </p><p>My Cheese Log started in 2015. It's now 2023, and it is near 180,000 words. Probably 2/3 of that is description from labels and cheesemaker/vendor websites, but I also note where I bought it, what I paid, how I ate it, and other relevant personal details around the eating experience. In 2019, I arranged a once-in-a-lifetime trip to England and Scotland around taking a day trip to the Wensleydale Creamery. I've learned what cheeses I can safely haul home in my luggage on long plane trips (aged, dryer cheese can manage without refrigeration for long stints). When I visited New York City for the first time last October, I hit up Zabar's and hauled nine blocks of cheese back to Arizona. Yes, I've had airport security search my bag several times, too, as they deemed my cheese "suspicious." I share pictures of my acquisitions online, and my friends send me about every possible cheese meme out there, multiple times. My love of cheese, weirdly enough, has become part of my author brand. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZ6jRouk1o8_1QKdOuokdF9fZimRwSc7mKhKRi9tlhYw22IEvvDBWAKXxLu5mbW1qL2KGWzCtZ07FiSLQCgYKXDKtSIm28jQ5hlgdMMufFx0c4GJ6tyNJDsCvLp6M_WbqhjLvBA3ckfxxHFIKtRzv92fbwpjfaRwYA0tvHfUSku9zYQMTDg/s500/Thousand%20Recipes%20for%20Revenge%20500x334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZ6jRouk1o8_1QKdOuokdF9fZimRwSc7mKhKRi9tlhYw22IEvvDBWAKXxLu5mbW1qL2KGWzCtZ07FiSLQCgYKXDKtSIm28jQ5hlgdMMufFx0c4GJ6tyNJDsCvLp6M_WbqhjLvBA3ckfxxHFIKtRzv92fbwpjfaRwYA0tvHfUSku9zYQMTDg/s320/Thousand%20Recipes%20for%20Revenge%20500x334.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Cheese also plays a big role in my new book, A Thousand Recipes for Revenge, which comes out on June 1st from 47North. It integrates food magic into a setting inspired by musketeer-era France, so you know there's a lot of bread, wine, and of course, cheese. <p>Writers are often told "write what you know." Well, I know cheese!</p><p>---</p><p>Nebula Award-nominated Beth Cato is the author of A THOUSAND RECIPES FOR REVENGE from 47North (June 2023) plus two fantasy series from Harper Voyager. She’s a Hanford, California native now residing in a far distant realm, usually with one or two cats in close orbit. Follow her at <a href="http://BethCato.com" target="_blank">BethCato.com</a> and on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/BethCato" target="_blank">@BethCato</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-59594543457045299102023-04-27T09:00:00.016-05:002023-04-27T09:00:00.155-05:00My Name Is...<p> We have a lot of amazing toys, because that's just how we roll. One of our movies is Princess Bride. We both read the book about the time we started dating and then saw the movie together, so this year for our dating anniversary hubs got me the quoting Inigo Montoya bust. Push a button on the back of his base to hear one of his six iconic phrases. And he came with a little handbook for vengeance! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMXxyhG-Farkjohx836UrIk1d1MFglk5Pu7_9Y8MZOyFHmbsHdqv9ksfXJ2MHW5J4EAJE10-9phvm5Srd_X1N0vuN8KSuRjJ1lCBdD2_YCMscxoGQUl421KMOh8gAfgxLRJG4HHnYBhR3MFkf9CVHKB3hHSiWNlngmrdgxOTnrCpso92gVGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1018" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMXxyhG-Farkjohx836UrIk1d1MFglk5Pu7_9Y8MZOyFHmbsHdqv9ksfXJ2MHW5J4EAJE10-9phvm5Srd_X1N0vuN8KSuRjJ1lCBdD2_YCMscxoGQUl421KMOh8gAfgxLRJG4HHnYBhR3MFkf9CVHKB3hHSiWNlngmrdgxOTnrCpso92gVGQ" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It's titled Meditations on Vengeance, and it looks almost exactly like a miniature version of my copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius just, ya know, more vengeancy.</p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-87360339214447594272023-04-23T22:15:00.001-05:002023-04-23T22:15:38.774-05:00Cheese To You<p> One of my cheese bucket list items is to visit Cheese to You in Lexington, Virginia. A co-worker recommended it when we were in the town for a conference and regretfully I didn't make it there are the time. Years have passed, but the cheese shop remains. And remains sassy.</p><p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghgB2JcczG3J9aatbRvdlEknDU5wnojP6bwHONWMFCRP2L7E6Ms8o93txdUGA9T086jdoUJRlzAsBSSI8i_4GTP8NKxuFr5eq8PCVIpBert825PbU8Ku0IIY2adc0Px9aPdRcMjKXWTJXT7KS_UEMhwRxZfRqrcaXG4Px0IktAi2BhFm_dQA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="765" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghgB2JcczG3J9aatbRvdlEknDU5wnojP6bwHONWMFCRP2L7E6Ms8o93txdUGA9T086jdoUJRlzAsBSSI8i_4GTP8NKxuFr5eq8PCVIpBert825PbU8Ku0IIY2adc0Px9aPdRcMjKXWTJXT7KS_UEMhwRxZfRqrcaXG4Px0IktAi2BhFm_dQA" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google image by TB, local guide</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-5313299274813369522023-04-22T14:18:00.000-05:002023-04-22T14:18:35.123-05:00The Dark Side<p>No, I'm not talking about the Force, at least not directly. I ran across an article about Jung's take on the Shadow and it's been a few years since I did my deep dive on Jung (inspired by the Synchronicity album, so that gives you a hint how long it's been). You can watch the whole thing as a video:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8S__1h2Z2xI" width="320" youtube-src-id="8S__1h2Z2xI"></iframe></div><br /><p>Or you can <a href="https://academyofideas.com/2023/04/face-your-dark-side-carl-jung-and-the-shadow/" target="_blank">read it on their website</a>. I'm a text person so I haven't watched the video yet.</p><p>It's been awhile since I've considered my shadow self, and now that I'm older and wiser (at least older) it feels like I have more perspective on it, but less instinct of what that shadow might be. Am I more integrated, or more repressed? Difficult to say. I feel like <i>at my best</i> I am easygoing, accepting, and creative, and <i>at my worst</i> I am difficult, judging, and controlling. The other language I use to understand this are my Myers-Briggs personality type of INFP where my shadow (all INFP shadows) is a dark version of ESTJ. This has come out under stress at my day job a number of times.</p><p>If you know your MBTI you can check out the description of your assumed shadow at <a href="https://introvertdear.com/news/the-shadow-side-of-each-introverted-myers-briggs-type-explained/" target="_blank">Introvert, Dear</a>.</p><p>Another article for exploring your shadow is this one from <a href="https://www.mindfulnessmuse.com/individual-differences/identify-accept-your-shadow-self" target="_blank">Mindfulness Muse</a>. Personality Club has an interesting analysis of <a href="https://www.personalityclub.com/blog/complete-intro-to-mbti-shadow-functions/" target="_blank">Shadow Functions</a>. You may not know how functions work, but if you do it is an interesting read.</p><p>A quick visual primer on what the functions are all about:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeIBByxZDYMGFYjveQ-_2Uain5s0CpOD1RIwN5pNSwQrsh2wJeczmDgOwfCSrsaT8KQzArWP0utfrliAsmuIvlU7oZAa7sl8Z9HtwibpR6cbeTv-g97JcOsCR34YtJ01Mz2T87B3RDnvY3aMI7f4yWA8lRKK3KS5uRaVntMU4jdSUnHMaww/s1285/functions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1285" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeIBByxZDYMGFYjveQ-_2Uain5s0CpOD1RIwN5pNSwQrsh2wJeczmDgOwfCSrsaT8KQzArWP0utfrliAsmuIvlU7oZAa7sl8Z9HtwibpR6cbeTv-g97JcOsCR34YtJ01Mz2T87B3RDnvY3aMI7f4yWA8lRKK3KS5uRaVntMU4jdSUnHMaww/s320/functions.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>A quick visual primer on who has what primary functions:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt_1090Kxgt6ulL7R4k94N2Yc1L2GhHAD78C7p1LdSo8EQnmi-ITdrZ242fHFZwZlXshCV3RxccDZdg5u1SuyKqr_3XrsS4jozJ2bqmRPXkOQDQHx6JoDOb_oZNFgYNsOPUt1pM675l961Ts2iLyMksn0tg4KNGCjfGfUUcxDRf3V7fwfiQ/s2048/Cognitive_Functions-byMBTI.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt_1090Kxgt6ulL7R4k94N2Yc1L2GhHAD78C7p1LdSo8EQnmi-ITdrZ242fHFZwZlXshCV3RxccDZdg5u1SuyKqr_3XrsS4jozJ2bqmRPXkOQDQHx6JoDOb_oZNFgYNsOPUt1pM675l961Ts2iLyMksn0tg4KNGCjfGfUUcxDRf3V7fwfiQ/s320/Cognitive_Functions-byMBTI.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>As an INFP my primary and shadow functions look like this:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3khLPalc0uFDI0lB2A9rxu93EtEiLQPLxprWdLabgxIyiBXD4p1SbwMl-7Q_ATTLgQorZy6pfRt7LVjFAhgTgDGTcA4Kkj7E-pqtHbch4__fyNgAozwu5m1HHu4ZOhacMsVb66Xy0FDNpgswuh_zPOxEx0IHs_HIk4_L0VDJUvrouWhwhQ/s1080/INFP%20functions.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1080" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3khLPalc0uFDI0lB2A9rxu93EtEiLQPLxprWdLabgxIyiBXD4p1SbwMl-7Q_ATTLgQorZy6pfRt7LVjFAhgTgDGTcA4Kkj7E-pqtHbch4__fyNgAozwu5m1HHu4ZOhacMsVb66Xy0FDNpgswuh_zPOxEx0IHs_HIk4_L0VDJUvrouWhwhQ/s320/INFP%20functions.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, an ESTJ's strengths are my weaknesses. I find this particular analysis fascinating because of the naming of the shadows. It makes me realize that most of my (INFP) and hubs (INTP) conflicts are solidly in that 'opposing role' territory where I have extroverted feeling and he has extroverted thinking. Personality Club writes about the Opposing Role: "This function acts in opposition to your dominant function, questioning the way it sees the world and the goals it sets. This is often the part of you that’s stubborn, argumentative, and refuses to go along with others and events. Basically, this is the part that will lash out when your ego is under threat. If used positively it can be used to strengthen and back up the dominant function, but few people use it in this way."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most alien function for me is Introverted Thinking, and that doesn't surprise me. My husband, an INTP, has a brilliantly tidy and organized mind and I... do not. I mean sure, I think a lot, but everything is either very simple and linear or it's story. I'm really good friends with my fourth function, Extroverted Thinking, which is how I've succeeded at work in things like project management. It's why one of my favorite ways to relax is doing a crossword or logic puzzle. Introverted Thinking, when done right, is very rich and complicated thinking. Yeah, not so much. No science discovery prizes for me. I have a certifiable squirrel brain that leaps from thing to thing, never dwelling too deeply on anything logical or facty. To dwell I need story. Emotion. But apparently if I will just dig deeply enough the demon I will find is Introverted Thinking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you know about your Dark Side?</div></div><p></p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-42533402942428552222023-04-21T19:38:00.000-05:002023-04-21T19:38:05.637-05:00Brr-nana Split<p>Sure, I never expected to be the food blogger type, but here we are. I made a thing and think you should make the thing, too. A Brr-nana Split is a banana split made with a frozen banana. Next time I will plan ahead to freeze a split or sliced banana, but this was AWESOME. My ice cream of choice was chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry from Häagen-Dazs. Sauces were Hershey's chocolate and strawberry. It missed that classic tang of pineapple topping, but maybe next time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxxYuA0joCC-WlJLq3Lmi6ypdi8oG9q9_-8oFrJ7MyHzjivPiiavwNjjLRXJG8BiMxkKSxtAmUrUyJmT6DUOEQvgyHMmDy0vZ45pwMfDLClUq8upnTgFtSIWnOyhSZFAG4JOz-Hcz_GcoL7M4Bh0EKOTUcjjH8Hq-dVR_Lfgje9Sa4sWbaAA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1808" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxxYuA0joCC-WlJLq3Lmi6ypdi8oG9q9_-8oFrJ7MyHzjivPiiavwNjjLRXJG8BiMxkKSxtAmUrUyJmT6DUOEQvgyHMmDy0vZ45pwMfDLClUq8upnTgFtSIWnOyhSZFAG4JOz-Hcz_GcoL7M4Bh0EKOTUcjjH8Hq-dVR_Lfgje9Sa4sWbaAA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Although now I kinda want to do a frozen coconut and pineapple situation. Hmmm...</div>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-71889393568696319132023-04-18T21:42:00.003-05:002023-04-18T21:42:40.585-05:00D&D is Dead, Long Live D&D<p> Sure, for most everyone else the OGL fiasco is fading from memory, but for me it has made an indelible mark. At first I felt a little traumatized, then I realized: as much as this feels like a place I've never been before, it is also a place I've very much been before.</p><p>Dungeons & Dragons has died many deaths for me, or at least lived many lives.</p><p><i>Welcome to the roleplaying multiverse.</i></p><p>It all started, of course, by trying to horn into my brother's games. I was much younger, you see, and this New Game that he and his friends were playing seemed very interesting. There was dice and math and storytelling and tiny lead figures to paint. My first few minutes of D&D, tho, was very much pencil and paper. One sheet of lined paper to document my stats and one sheet of graph paper where we started the adventure.</p><p>"You can see about thirty feet with your torchlight. Each square here is five feet." Brother draws a five by thirty foot hallway on the graph paper. "The stone hallway is dirty and cold. Your footsteps sound loud to your own ears as the sound bounces off the walls. What do you do?"</p><p>"I move forward slowly."</p><p>"You see more hallway," keeps drawing, "more hallway... You see orcs!"</p><p>Now, why were orcs just waiting for me to stumble my way up the hallway? I don't know. That's just how those first edition adventures seemed to go, at least in our house. I don't remember how that first confrontation went, I was about ten at the time, but something about that combination of dice, math, and storytelling hooked me. As much as I love to paint, for me the lead figures were optional. (That's doesn't mean I don't own a horde of them, I do, but I possess them like an angry dragon.)</p><p>I particularly became enamored of an elven figure that I dubbed "Sir Flame." All my brothers friends assumed it was a gay joke, but it wasn't. I just knew that was his title. I also pulled his name Trazelle out of the ether, which it turns out is a real name (I wouldn't know that for 30 years). I played characters before him (all female), and have played many characters since (of all varieties), but Trazelle was the first character to completely captivate me. He was funny and otherworldly and so very, very deadly when he needed to be. His weapon of choice for battlefields? Fire, of course. He's the reason I love purple (his favorite color) and lavender (his favorite scent). Anyone who has played with him has at least one Trazelle story. "Remember that time you forgot to pack any rations, so after we killed that dragon you poked at it and asked, 'Is it tender?'" The action was funny enough, but the tentative, hopeful little tone in his voice is what put it over the top. The only actor I can think of who could play him would be Leslie Howard.</p><p>Once I had my first real taste of an ongoing character in a larger world with conflict, politics, enemies, and allies, well, the hook was sunk deep. The next logical step, for me, was creating my OWN world. So in 1985 I sat down and did just that. Maps. Notebooks full of places and people. Ancient items. </p><p>I particularly focused in one region, Land East, that was formerly a human empire and had fractured into uneasy alliances of powerful leaders who had dominion over a small country. Magic was strictly forbidden throughout most of the area, even though the ruins of one of the most significant magic schools of any era sat directly in the middle of it. My favorite part of running players through it was starting them in one area that 'hated' another area, then having them start characters on the other side of the conflict. It removed the 'good and evil' paradigm that is so often at the heart of basic roleplaying.</p><p>In 1989 our group all made the transition to Second Edition. We were young and feisty with A Lot of Opinions about the changes. That loose leaf Monster Manual is one of the best/worst ideas I've ever seen. Or maybe it was a good idea with poor execution, because heavy or laminated paper would have worked. The paper they used? Omigod, you could tear it by breathing on it. By then we were also playing a lot of other roleplaying games, so D&D had a lot of competition, but our regular Sunday night game was usually reserved for the classic. For months, maybe years?, our adventuring party slogged from first to twelfth level in a campaign my husband ran. We were deep into regional politics, the effects of dark magics, and how in the heck we were supposed to save our people.</p><p>Man, we loved second edition like a dragon loves gold. Sure, we bought the books for 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0, but did we play them? Heck no. I kept an old laptop with a CD rom specifically to run Core Rules 2.0 on gaming nights. Yes, I still have it. So you could say that 2.0 never <i>really</i> died for me, it is a zombie that lives in my house, sort of like Nick Frost at the end of <i>Shaun of the Dead</i>.</p><blockquote><p><i><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: medium;">"we loved second edition like a dragon loves gold"</span></b></i></p></blockquote><p>However, the <i>type</i> of D&D we played with 2.0 seems to have died at least a little death. The original AD&D was very combat oriented, but 2.0 - at least for my group - was <i>very</i> roleplaying oriented. We already knew phrases like 'rules lawyers' and 'min-maxing', but they were used with derision rather than as something to aspire to. Choices needed to make sense for the <i>character</i>, not in some sort of meta-gaming way. "That's what my character would do" was a phrase that meant something to us, and that thing was not 'this is how I'm going to justify my chaotic, murder-hobo, shit-stupid idea'.</p><p>For us game night was mostly a night of improv, sort of improv for the mathematically inclined, if you will. One of my very favorite sessions was when a humorous friend played a Sprite with an orc henchman that he named Robin. I don't remember the Sprite's name anymore, but I remember Robin very clearly because the poor, put upon servant was called upon almost every minute of the day while the Sprite would go into a swoon and demand to be carried around.</p><p>In early 2019, invited to a game on a VTT (Virtual Table Top), we finally broke down and tried 5.0. We've been playing it ever since, if somewhat begrudgingly. Because we don't have the time we used to in order to build what is now called "Homebrew" content, we run modules that we enhance with, ya know, logic and good maps. Using VTTs we are running more consistent, longer-term games than we have in decades, and also getting a chance to try one-offs and other content with friends all over the place. 5e sort of feels like the price of entry to playing with more people.</p><p>The roleplaying world, however, seems to have been irrevocably affected by a video game mentality. 5e has a sense of character optimization and quest streamlining to it that although possible in 2e was not as emphasized. Or maybe it is just that the players have played so many video games that their brains are altered. It drives me more than a little crazy because it's hard to play a character instead of the game these days. Players literally talk in terms of 'collecting all the quests in town' before heading out to slay the dragon. My eyes roll back in my head every time that happens.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6SVw6hbDgFsr7tNcsrKg8EBH6TfCvP4E_C8PWtM8H350nIdTDtv7rdMZDHo0jWy7dlQ2IXa430zwcKXsqGTBbJKdcyqrrj6ICOUXYxCSZ7m-R4IeqErRMbvCXSEp3_5M-KZFZOPhVURyNcvGr16d56jZVAVDUFvQlXKEuhwMLydQzg5IhQ/s336/eye-roll.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6SVw6hbDgFsr7tNcsrKg8EBH6TfCvP4E_C8PWtM8H350nIdTDtv7rdMZDHo0jWy7dlQ2IXa430zwcKXsqGTBbJKdcyqrrj6ICOUXYxCSZ7m-R4IeqErRMbvCXSEp3_5M-KZFZOPhVURyNcvGr16d56jZVAVDUFvQlXKEuhwMLydQzg5IhQ/s320/eye-roll.gif" width="257" /></a></div><br /><p>So here we are again. A new version of an old game is on the way. The multi-layered bureaucratic corporation that owns it has fumbled the roll-out in so many times in so many ways that it's a miracle they are carrying the ball across the finish line. But D&D, like a giant bank, is basically too big to fail. It doesn't matter to them that I won't ever buy another product from them because they have plenty of people who will.</p><p>As for me, I figure I already own enough 2.0 and 5e stuff that I can play eternally. Furthermore, there are also a ton of rpgs to try, with new ones coming out every day. The Hasbros don't need me and I don't need them, but whether I want it to be true or not, it means that the current version of the game I've become accustomed to is dying. All of the resources and focus will move on to another version. 5e will join 2.0 on the zombie couch.</p><p><i>D&D is Dead, Long Live D&D.</i></p><span></span><span></span><p>In case you've missed it, instead of homebrewing new roleplaying content I've spent the last ten years as a romance author. You can check out my books on my author website <a href="http://bysuelondon.com" target="_blank">bysuelondon.com</a>. Sure, it's historical romance, but along with the historical nerdity you also get a suspicious number of geek references. You might think you're not a romance reader, but I've made a few converts in my time.</p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0Charlottesville, VA, USA38.0293059 -78.4766781000000159.7190720638211516 -113.63292810000002 66.339539736178835 -43.320428100000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-25708372894719166772023-04-03T22:55:00.002-05:002023-04-04T17:48:25.392-05:00Everything Old is New AgainAbout 20 years ago I started this blog, calling it my virtual frontier cabin. Weirdly, it is still here. Weathered, a little worse for wear, but she still stands. She still gets a surprising amount of traffic, too. Sure, it's mostly possum, and undoubtedly more than one litter of fox kits has been born under the front porch, but hopefully when people come by they can still see animatronic me waving from the front porch. With the crashing and burning of so much social media you may see real me more often.<div><br /></div><div>About 10 years ago I started self-publishing my fiction. That has been a wild and wooly ride, from the shock of being in the Amazon Top 50 sellers to now wondering how this book selling thing works. (If I sell more than a couple a day I get real excited.)</div><div><br /></div><div>It feels like I should do something new this year, as clearly the 3 years are my jam.</div><div><br /></div><div>We'll see. Meanwhile, I'll just wave from my cabin porch. Hi there. How y'all doing? Weather's been crazy, huh?</div>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-38533944136928810632021-05-05T14:41:00.000-05:002021-05-05T14:41:20.915-05:00Podcast Roundup<p> You know what? I keep doing podcasts and it doesn't really make sense to post them on my author blog. But it makes TOTAL sense to post them here. Enjoy a little Sue nerdity.</p><p>May 3, 2021 AfterLunch: <a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/nerdlunch/AfterLUNCH035-CWSexify.mp3" target="_blank">Sexify Something for the CW</a></p><p>April 26, 2021 AfterLunch: <a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/nerdlunch/AfterLUNCH034-TrendyMovies1.mp3" target="_blank">Trendy Movies</a></p>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-17895981744906074782017-01-22T17:39:00.000-05:002017-01-22T17:39:31.809-05:00If Asked, I Will Serve.Over the years I've teased on Twitter about my platform if I were to run for office, and thought that I should document it here. If new things are added, this post will be updated.<br />
<ul>
<li>Office puppies for everyone</li>
<li>No stupid banter at award shows</li>
<li>Holidays are confined to their season</li>
<li>Abolish Mondays</li>
<li>The day after the release of a major book (ex. new Harry Potter) shall be a national holiday</li>
</ul>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"FYI, my plan is to be Queen of Canada, with stops as Virginia state and federal senator." ~ @cmdrsue, January 30, 2016</blockquote>
</div>
Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-74850076358871898692016-11-27T10:00:00.000-05:002016-11-27T10:00:02.626-05:00Praise CheesusHallelujah! Finally, a reason for another God & Cheese Day post. <a href="https://twitter.com/the_cheesus" target="_blank">@the_cheesus</a> brings us THE GRILLED CHEESUS (cue angels singing).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigewaoZOGAB8zy1zMrEfMoDCC8ShNzH1BnHhAkXZPIZUWdCwO4Y-kk1IpzmdAsC26PqtT8m82KSejCyzPGbh606CW3XXCe56Z6XrdpAjIAK81Zn6w25qQV6ZvExqY8FpYfnIO6/s1600/Grilled_Cheesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigewaoZOGAB8zy1zMrEfMoDCC8ShNzH1BnHhAkXZPIZUWdCwO4Y-kk1IpzmdAsC26PqtT8m82KSejCyzPGbh606CW3XXCe56Z6XrdpAjIAK81Zn6w25qQV6ZvExqY8FpYfnIO6/s320/Grilled_Cheesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, you can order your very own <a href="http://omrgoods.com/products/grilled-cheesus-sandwich-press" target="_blank">Cheesus grill online at OMRGoods</a>.Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-23881836667548615582015-09-12T19:44:00.001-05:002015-09-12T19:44:36.747-05:00Celebrate Good Times, Come On<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-_ZffEv8Ml-pSjvY43luBfrLDweRJXoou4cSngJ0zNsHSp-qfawdzwstPh-Tp8DLF1X70iUHpfR6vBRFmBI6SP0o6jV_ysmQSB4pWIQd7E5T1rIYWgYwznmK4VmVo3wEmm-N/s1600/20150606_104251-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-_ZffEv8Ml-pSjvY43luBfrLDweRJXoou4cSngJ0zNsHSp-qfawdzwstPh-Tp8DLF1X70iUHpfR6vBRFmBI6SP0o6jV_ysmQSB4pWIQd7E5T1rIYWgYwznmK4VmVo3wEmm-N/s320/20150606_104251-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a pretty flower from this summer's garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of my writing friends congratulated me on my book and author rankings today, which was really nice. Then she stumped me by saying "Hope you had a little celebration!" Because, see, I'm really bad at celebrating, and I think that's probably a bad way to be. That made me start doing my favorite thing - researching!<br />
<br />
The first article I read promised to tell me "Why It's Important to Celebrate. A lot." Turns out they don't touch on celebrations so much as gratitude, but I see where they're going. And this is a great summary of why an attitude of gratitude is a key to a great life:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Daily gratitude writings resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Even better, those in the “gratitude” group experienced less depression and stress, were more likely to help others, exercised more consistently and made greater progress toward achieving personal goals. Dr. Emmons’ research also shows that those who celebrate their lives by practicing gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system and have stronger social relationships than those who don’t practice gratitude. “To say we feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great,” he says, “It just means we are aware of our blessings.”
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lifereimagined.aarp.org/stories/4581-Why-It-s-Important-to-Celebrate-A-lot-&icid=MD-AA" target="_blank">"Why It's Important to Celebrate. A lot." on Life Reimagined</a></blockquote>
But are an attitude of gratitude and celebration connected more clearly? According CoreU Coaching, they are.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Look where celebration falls [in the Authentic Cycle of Probability] – right after gratitude and just before completion. That’s an extremely powerful stage of the cycle that should not be overlooked.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://coreu.com/five-good-reasons-to-celebrate-more-often/" target="_blank">Five Good Reasons to Celebrate More Often on CoreU Coaching</a></blockquote>
In that article he reminds us that "Celebration is emotional nourishment." That sounds good to me. It sounds snuggly and yummy and all sorts of other positive things. Now I want me some celebration. If you're thinking you'd like to take time to celebrate a little but don't have any ideas (that's quite often a problem of mine), check out: <a href="http://daringtolivefully.com/simple-ways-to-celebrate-life" target="_blank">"50 Simple Ways to Celebrate" on Daring to Live Fully</a>.<br />
<br />
Now, these concepts aren't exactly new to me. I knew about the Attitude of Gratitude. And heck, for years I've owned the book <a href="http://amzn.to/1FEy33x" target="_blank">"Ice Cream for Breakfast: If You Follow All the Rules You Miss Half the Fun."</a> Quite often I'm even the life of the party... but I probably planned the party. Honestly, I'd rather plan a party than attend one. But the thing that it feels like I need (other than reminders, obviously) is to know <i>how</i> I should celebrate.<br />
<br />
Dr. Alice Chan is there for me and reminds me that I should do whatever is meaningful <i>to me</i>. Her example of this is great because so many of us (including herself) would never choose the reward - a full day of uninterrupted exercise. She also has one of my favorite quotes on this topic. "Celebration signals to your subconscious – and your inner critic – that you are thankful for the progress you are making toward your dream." That's a lovely way to look at it. Check out <a href="http://www.dralicechan.com/importance-of-celebration/" target="_blank">"Importance of Celebration" by Dr. Alice Chan</a>.<br />
<br />
So what does Dr. Chan's advice tell me? I JUST CELEBRATED BY IGNORING EVERYTHING ELSE FOR 30 MINUTES AND RESEARCHING CELEBRATION. I really do love research. My husband gave me the nickname Soogle.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, that author who triggered this pontification? USA Today Bestseller Julie Johnstone, the same one who encouraged me to apply to BookBub again (the ad responsible for said surge in book and author rankings). I'm very grateful to have Julie in my life. She can be your BFF (Book Friend Forever) if you go visit her over at her website <a href="http://juliejohnstoneauthor.com/">http://juliejohnstoneauthor.com/</a> where you can check out her Romantic Regency Romps.Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-56088292847568083342015-07-24T19:01:00.001-05:002015-07-24T19:01:52.936-05:00Gone, Baby, Gone<p dir="ltr">You may have noticed that I called a social media blackout while working on my shipping, but then I realized "I have the blogger app on my phone. Blogging isn't <i>really</i> social media." The lies we tell ourselves. Have you ever declared a social media blackout? Why? How did it work out?</p>
Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-38644444850367043652015-07-17T10:22:00.000-05:002015-07-17T10:22:01.238-05:00I'm basically Gracie Hart...There are quite a few scenes in Miss Congeniality (2000) that I've always related to, but this one has become nearer and dearer to my heart since I've gotten involved in the romance publishing business.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j5B70NEq_fY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-63311644955627846532015-06-15T18:26:00.001-05:002015-06-15T18:26:46.954-05:00Dear Peter Dinklage,You were the main draw for me in starting to watch Game of Thrones. I first noticed you on the short-lived television show Threshold, and always keep an eye out for things you are in. I had only ever read the first book in Martin's series and Tyrion was, for lack of a better term, one of the most likeable characters. I had hopes. You, of course, exceeded them. That's part of why I'll watch pretty much anything you do.<br />
<br />
Now I've gotta hope you're going to be in something else soon. See, I'm finally giving up on Game of Thrones and the only thing I'll regret is not seeing you. That's why I'm writing this letter. If the ratings drop, I want you to know that I didn't stop watching because they killed my favorite character. I stopped watching because everything around you became so dismal and abusive that I couldn't stand it. If we use the analogy of quitting Game of Thrones being like escaping an abusive husband, that means you're the child I left behind. I feel bad. I feel guilty. I just have to hope he treats you better than he ever treated me.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, you seem to have some new things already lined up, according to IMDB. We look forward to seeing you in them. Just... don't tell dad I called. I can't stand that m'fer.<br />
<br />
Hugs and kisses,<br />
:) SueSue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-69035171688871442852015-03-24T23:59:00.000-05:002023-03-25T00:00:20.503-05:00Wake That Force UpSure, I said we were over-analyzing The Force Awakens. But, ya know, it's kinda the thing to do.<div>
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Han: I went back to the only thing I was ever good at.<br />Leia: No. What you're good at is leading people. Doing the right thing (small smile) even when you don't want to.<br />H (cocky shrug): I was trying to impress a girl.*<br />L (sad smile): She was impressed. </blockquote>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, this honors the relationship between Leia and Han which WE HAVE ALL BEEN SHIPPING MOST OF OUR LIVES. Taking away their happily ever after got to a lot of us. Second, this connects some of Kylo Ren/Ben's behavior that seems strange - unless you realize he rather instinctively wants TO IMPRESS A GIRL. Some of the stuff he does only makes sense if you think he's kinda crushing on Rey. Recognizing how that makes him like his dad would be a nice tie-in. Further, when Rey proves she doesn't need or want him it kinda turns him on more. JUST LIKE HIS DAD.</div>
Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-75706667968205194962014-12-25T14:03:00.000-05:002014-12-25T14:03:02.586-05:00Merry NerdmasHope that you are having a Merry Little Christmas, if you celebrate it. Here at Chateau de London we're having a geeky good time. My nerd-cred is yet again supported by the things I've received.<br />
<ul>
<li>Action figures</li>
<ul>
<li>Hong Kong Phooey</li>
<li>Captain America</li>
<li>Rocket Raccoon</li>
<li>Rocket Raccoon with sound and lights</li>
</ul>
<li>DVDs</li>
<ul>
<li>Jonny Quest, Season One (classic, of course)</li>
<li>Scooby Doo, complete series</li>
<li>Maleficent</li>
</ul>
<li>Three books on the Wars of the Roses!</li>
<li>T-shirts</li>
<ul>
<li>Black cat with witch books</li>
<li>Hoth/Icee</li>
</ul>
<br />
</ul>
Here's wishing you get everything you were hoping for this holiday season! And a few things you didn't even know to hope for.Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-36252556325404501932014-10-11T08:40:00.003-05:002014-10-11T08:40:50.299-05:00Giveaway: Autographed Paperback of Common Christmas<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget111627">
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23354668"><img alt="A Common Christmas by Sue London" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413034333l/23354668.jpg" title="A Common Christmas by Sue London" width="100" /></a>
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<h3 style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0; padding: 0;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23354668">A Common Christmas</a>
</h3>
<h4 style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0;">
by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4543060.Sue_London" style="text-decoration: none;">Sue London</a>
</h4>
<div class="giveaway_details">
Giveaway ends November 30, 2014.
<br />
See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/111627" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
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<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/111627" type="text/javascript"></script>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-309858858383830292014-06-14T14:21:00.000-05:002014-06-14T14:21:19.755-05:00"To be alive is to be vulnerable"<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I was actually a little surprised at this result in the "<a href="http://www.playbuzz.com/gregs/what-emotion-are-you-guided-by" target="_blank">What Emotion Are You Guided By?</a>" quiz. Then again, I'm an INFP. We cover it up in various ways, but emotional vulnerability is kinda our thing. Feel free to share your result or thoughts in the comments below.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Vulnerability</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://az520697.vo.msecnd.net/cdn/86e84c9c-d9fd-4a14-8612-dba1fbe7b2aa/f04bc0fb-5329-440b-87d2-ebfda23b416e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://az520697.vo.msecnd.net/cdn/86e84c9c-d9fd-4a14-8612-dba1fbe7b2aa/f04bc0fb-5329-440b-87d2-ebfda23b416e.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You are a very emotional, sensitive person. You act upon your feelings,
even if it's hurting you, and your strong and vivid emotions tend to get
the best of you. Being vulnerable is not a negative thing - it makes
you more aware of other people's emotions and when they might be hurt.
Trying to grow a thicker skin might be a good idea, but don't hurry.
Keep your tender soul alive for as long as you can, it's precious<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>It doesn't take a talent to be mean</i><br />
<i>Your words can crush things that are unseen</i><br />
<i>So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive</i><br />
<i>And I'd like to stay that way.</i><br />
<i> ~ Jewel, I'm Sensitive</i></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we
would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept
vulnerability... To be alive is to be vulnerable.” ~ Madeline L'Engle</blockquote>
Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-40120078540006846002014-05-28T11:00:00.000-05:002014-05-28T13:39:54.205-05:00Guest Post: Career Choice: Writer or Supervillain?<div>
<i>by Nicholas Olivo</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's no surprise
that many people struggle with the choice of becoming writers or
supervillains. The required skillsets often overlap and leave many
people debating whether to choose a pen name like Mark Twain or a more
colorful moniker like "The Evil <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_450345662" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Midnight</span></span> Bomber What Bombs at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_450345663" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Midnight</span></span>."
To that end, I created this brief survey to set folks in the right
direction. To set things up, grab a piece of paper and a pen. Draw a
vertical line down the middle of the page and label one side Writer and
the other side Supervillain. We're ready to begin.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you enjoy building themed incendiary devices
(e.g., exploding chattering teeth, dynamite filled rubber duckies,
pumpkin bombs)? If yes, put a tick mark in the Supervillain column.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you ever killed an entire race/planet/bloodline solely for backstory purposes? If yes, put a tick in the Writer column.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you prefer to dress in spandex (tick Supervillain) or sweats (tick Writer)? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tick Supervillain if you'd like to kill your mother-in-law. Tick Writer if you'd like to kill her over and over again.*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you ever created a person solely to foil your own plans? If yes, tick Writer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When planning a bank robbery, do you note all
details, including the lobby's upholstery patterns, carpet texture and
what the tellers had for lunch? If yes, tick Writer. If no, tick
Supervillain. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When crafting a poison, do you know the Latin
derivative of the poison's name and at least three famous people who
died because of it? If no, tick Supervillain. If yes, tick Writer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you prefer to monologue to a captive hero (tick Supervillain) or to yourself (tick Writer)?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Can the hero easily escape from your overly complicated death traps? Tick Supervillain if yes, Writer if no.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When building a giant death dealing robot, do you
ever pause to consider the men and women who inevitably died during its
construction? If yes, tick Writer. If no, tick Supervillain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*Also tick Writer if you like your mother-in-law. People need to hear those stories.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And
there you have it. Add up your tick marks and it should be pretty clear
which career path you need to head down. I look forward to seeing you
in the headlines, one way or another. ;)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<i>Today's guest blogger is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nicholas-Olivo/e/B005BTI4TY/" target="_blank">Nicholas Olivo</a>, author of Imperium and other Caulborn stories, and friend of the show. You can chat with Nick on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/NicholasOlivo" target="_blank">@NicholasOlivo</a>.</i></div>
Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-60303805086917757332014-03-17T12:55:00.003-05:002014-03-17T12:55:31.673-05:00Happy St. Paddy's Day! Sue-has-the-Blarney-editionMost people celebrate St. Patrick's Day by wearing green and drinking (also perhaps wearing beer and drinking green). But me? This year I celebrated by grabbing a co-author and writing a little book about Werechauns.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z2gRPGVa2XVXr2sTk9lkvkHgZWXbwuRDlRuuS7yJne6KQ_qU9LiwGRzaqCfWDX4xukeSdBZG0mrQM0jQWejsp6l98i-flO-qEwZxn2Y7MIGwjEceLb3QuvKEAvKwPOswnkCQ/s1600/AmericanWerechaun.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z2gRPGVa2XVXr2sTk9lkvkHgZWXbwuRDlRuuS7yJne6KQ_qU9LiwGRzaqCfWDX4xukeSdBZG0mrQM0jQWejsp6l98i-flO-qEwZxn2Y7MIGwjEceLb3QuvKEAvKwPOswnkCQ/s1600/AmericanWerechaun.png" height="320" width="201" /></a></div>
What's a Werechaun you ask? Someone who turns into a Leprechaun, obviously. Or is it a Leprechaun that turns into an animal? Or is it both? Well, it's certainly not someone who turns into both, right? Now I'm really confused. But not as confused as Kyle Monaghan, a typical Bostonian 20-something who finds out that he IS a Werechaun. And not just any Werechaun, but one who might change the fate of <i>all</i> the humans and <i>all </i>the Leprechauns.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRLAHKC" target="_blank">American Werechaun in Dublin $2.99 on Amazon</a><br />
<br />
Kyle Monaghan has a problem. Sometimes, on nights of the full moon, he
blacks out. When he wakes up he finds gold coins in his pockets. It
sounds like a good problem to have, but he lives in fear of arrest or
worse. This year he decided to travel back to his grandfather’s home in
Ireland to see if he can solve the riddle. The last thing he expected
was to step into the middle of a clan war with <em>all</em> of the gold at stake. <br />
<br />
<i>Genre: urban fairy tale</i><br />
<br />
Want to meet my co-author?<i> </i>You can find Andy Click over on his Tumblr <a href="http://overclicked.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">One Click Too Many</a> or on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/overclicked" target="_blank">@overclicked</a>.<span id="goog_264138793"></span><span id="goog_264138794"></span>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-69819830767381748432014-03-05T11:25:00.001-05:002014-03-05T11:25:02.822-05:00Lucky Me! Werechaun book in the worksProving how fast things can happen in the 21st century, I teased my buddy Andy with a joke and now we're coming out with a really cool ebook just in time for St. Patrick's Day based on the concept.<br />
<br />
That concept? Were-leprechauns.<br />
<br />
Come on, you know that made you laugh.<br />
<br />
If you want to laugh for a few hours (and enjoy some thrills, chills, and a really cool new leprechaun mythos), pre-order <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRLAHKC" target="_blank">American Werechaun in Dublin</a>, exclusively on Amazon Kindle.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Kyle Monaghan has a problem. Sometimes, on nights of the full moon, he blacks out. When he wakes up he finds gold coins in his pockets. It sounds like a good problem to have, but he lives in fear of arrest or worse. This year he decided to travel back to his grandfather’s home in Ireland to see if he can solve the riddle. The last thing he expected was to step into the middle of a clan war with <em>all</em> of the gold at stake.
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bysuelondon.com/sff/werechaun/" target="_blank">Check my author website for Werechaun updates</a>.Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-42830512240005284252014-02-25T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-25T08:30:19.251-05:00Nerd Lunch: Turning Movies Into TV Shows (The Sequel)CT and the boys invited me back to sit in for <a href="http://nerdlunch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nerd Lunch</a> Podcast 120! Technically I was sitting in for Jeeg, but then Jeeg had to sit in for a Pax, so we just all piled onto one chair and started talking about the movies we would like to turn into TV shows. <br />
<br />
Check it out!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2699088/height/360/width/450/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="450"></iframe>
<br />
You probably won't be surprised by my pick... Humorous science fiction?
Hmm, we never would have guessed. There is also a Harold Ramis film in
the mix. Let us all have a moment of silence for one of our favorite
writers and directors. And actors! How many of us started collecting
spores, molds, and fungus because of Egon? We recorded before hearing
of his passing, but now I see it as something of a tribute. <br />
<br />
If you love this "Movies to TV Shows" theme, go back and take a listen to<a href="http://nerdlunch.blogspot.com/2012/10/nerd-lunch-podcast-56-turning-movies.html" target="_blank"> NerdLunch podcast #56</a>.Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-3317791466025998092014-02-17T11:37:00.001-05:002014-02-17T11:37:49.187-05:00Publishing Is a BusinessSince everyone has had something to say in the recent kerfuffle over traditional publishing vs. self-publishing vs. I dunno, narwhals or something, I thought that maybe I should jump into the fray with my opinion. What is my opinion?<br />
<br />
Tommy, if you please:<br />
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgK6mSoJxNyov9FrxC6HiYFd8BNzM50wdZeTGCjutXEonuL6zwwa5hSgTTs9WpBSxCH07H9ExQbT92OL2a_VloHPiStv4ljB6iZNUjmHkJlC0gkr4SgKanecKsholkds7MAkC/s1600/dontcare.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgK6mSoJxNyov9FrxC6HiYFd8BNzM50wdZeTGCjutXEonuL6zwwa5hSgTTs9WpBSxCH07H9ExQbT92OL2a_VloHPiStv4ljB6iZNUjmHkJlC0gkr4SgKanecKsholkds7MAkC/s1600/dontcare.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously, I don't care. Not much. See, here's my position. I want to do my thing. I want you to be able to do your thing. I'm excited that we have so many options these days to do different things. Yay for us! This is one of those times when I don't understand the forming of "sides" and the pressing need people feel to "convert" others. Is publishing a religion and no one told me? I don't think so. I think it's a business. An industry somewhere on the order of <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/REVEF511ALLEST?rid=289&soid=19" target="_blank">$280 BILLION DOLLARS</a> (not including Internet, whatever they mean by that). If you're not familiar with business, let me clue you in. There are likely to be some varying opinions on how to get your piece of the pie.<br />
<br />
I'm not talking about the art and craft here. That's a different thing entirely. And you know what? Art is a helluva subjective thing. It's quite possible that we could find the one perfect piece of fiction in the entire world and it wouldn't sell. Because that's the way life is sometimes. Van Gogh only sold that one painting in his lifetime. <a href="http://painting.about.com/od/paintingtrivia/f/van-gogh-first-painting-sold.htm" target="_blank">To a friend's sister.</a> Sales don't equal quality. Quality doesn't equal sales. Cry about that all you want, but it's the truth. Everyone working on your art? Good. Stay on that. We need awesome books. But let's not bring the writing part into this discussion and only concentrate on publishing and sales <i>because really that's the core of what's being discussed here - the disruption of an industry</i>.<br />
<br />
A few people have likened self-publishers to entrepreneurs, and I think that's a fairly accurate connection to make. If publishing is a business then there are a number of roles that need to be played. Prior to the boom of ebooks, if you wanted the "writer" role (and wanted the chance to make a good deal of money at it) you were probably going to need to work with a publishing house. That's because of the capital and connections required to do broad scale publishing. Quite simply, a model that used economies of scale was more successful. There is nothing inherently good or bad in that, it was just what the industry required. Then things changed. Among them, Amazon rather aggressively pursuing the question of "What if we changed the rules a little bit?" Primarily to horn in on the action. If you were to really analyze what goes into making and selling a book, Amazon is only working as the distributor for a self-published author. And making a heck of a percentage in that role. But it means that the key to distribution is accessible and now an author wanting to 'go it alone' only has to, you know, figure out all the other stuff beyond actually writing a book. Editing. Graphic design. Promotion. And managing all of it. A business. If you don't want to manage a business (small though it may be), then self-publishing is obviously not for you. If you salivate over the idea of running your own business, then maybe it's something you should consider. I'm not trying to convince you one way or the other, I'm just saying that publishing is a business and <i>you have more options to participate in that business than you did before</i>.<br />
<br />
But do you know what this whole traditional vs. self publishing thing <b>isn't</b> going to do for you? Guarantee your success. Nothing is going to do that. New York can't guarantee that. Amazon can't guarantee that. Your religious figure can't guarantee that. No one can make that happen. Not even you. You can work really, really, really hard at it. But hard work doesn't equal sales, either. It just increases your chances. All of this is about finding the path that best optimizes your chances for being a successful author. Your path probably looks different than mine. That's ok, right? We probably had a different breakfast (unless you had Cheerios and a vanilla latte?) and will talk to different people today. Lots of things are different. Unless we <i>choose</i> to connect and celebrate our sameness, while also <i>choosing</i> to admire and respect our difference, there is just likely to be unpleasantness.<br />
<br />
At heart what is my opinion on the trad vs. self fight? I think everyone needs to calm down. The people who actually should be panicking haven't yet. For the rest of us we need to take off our crankypants and take a nap so that we can wake up refreshed and ready to write or publish or fight narwhals, or whatever it is we need to do this afternoon.<br />
<br />
In that spirit, here's Uncle Sammy with the exactly right bedtime book for the mood everyone has been in (NSFW or delicate ears):<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: I have not discussed my opinion on <i>writing</i> or <i>readers</i> in this piece on purpose. This is only about business. </span>Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636566.post-2253352985245765452013-12-17T12:24:00.000-05:002013-12-22T16:26:34.311-05:00Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night (for Reading)[cross posted in All Places Sue] <br />
I've heard from some people that they can't afford books for themselves during the holidays, so I wanted to stuff some Kindle ebooks in your stocking. Lucky me, Rose Gordon is also stepping up to help with the stocking stuffing! We're posting books from people we know and like, so if you like our fiction you should be able to find something you like here, too.<br />
<br />
Enter the Rafflecopter here, or in one of the other places this is cross posted, saying which book you're hoping to find in your stocking and you'll be eligible to win one of the DAILY giveaways until Twelfth Night. More books will be added as our friends join in the fun.<br />
<br />
Update: Exciting news! Urban Fantasy author Nicholas Olivo <a href="http://nicholasolivo.com/">http://nicholasolivo.com/</a> has donated a $25 Amazon gift card to be given away on Christmas day! All registrants will be in the running for this awesome gift! Thanks Nicholas!<br />
<br />
Stocking Stuffers You Can Win*<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Time-Holders-Wendy-Sparrow-ebook/dp/B00H34ESBI" target="_blank">Stealing Time</a> by Wendy Sparrow </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Officer-Bostoner-Historical-Western-Officers-ebook/dp/B00DOFHHFO/" target="_blank">The Officer and the Bostoner</a> by Rose Gordon </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cavershams-Bride-The-Caversham-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00AAJNIQE/" target="_blank">Caversham's Bride </a>by Sandy Raven </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goblin-Brothers-Adventures-Lindsay-Buroker-ebook/dp/B004FPYPSO/" target="_blank">The Goblin Brothers Adventures</a> by Lindsay Buroker </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Common-Christmas-Haberdashers-Tales-ebook/dp/B00H947GWK/" target="_blank">A Common Christmas</a> by Sue London (Regency historical Christmas romance)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Duke-Christmas-Past-Kim-Bowman-ebook/dp/B00GBN25T4/" target="_blank">The Duke of Christmas Past</a> by Kim Bowman </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Daughter-Devil-Ryder-ebook/dp/B004V4GN52/" target="_blank">The Devil's Daughter</a> by Suzie Grant </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Scotland-Kristin-Vayden-ebook/dp/B00GFF6KXK/" target="_blank">Surviving Scotland</a> by Kristin Vaden </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Dustmans-Daughter-Ruth-Hartman-ebook/dp/B00G8Q6XWO/" target="_blank">Romancing the Dustman's Daughter</a> by Ruth J. Hartman</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Krampusnacht-Caulborn-Nicholas-Olivo-ebook/dp/B006BJH88Q/" target="_blank">Krampusnacht (and Other Caulborn Stories)</a> by Nicholas Olivo</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Midwinter-Brothers-Sinister-Book-ebook/dp/B00APONX6Y/" target="_blank">A Kiss for Midwinter</a> by Courtney Milan </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/STRIPPED-Without-You-Brooklyn-Skye-ebook/dp/B00H0JSQ4Q/" target="_blank">Stripped Without You </a>by Brooklyn Skye </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scandalous-Dissolute-No-Good-Mr-Wright-ebook/dp/B009YJHHR2/" target="_blank">The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright</a> by Tessa Dare </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Rock-Stars-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B0095VPIC0/" target="_blank">As You Wish</a> by Elyssa Patrick </li>
<li>Three options from Matt Forbeck just went on sale!</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0083CTEAY/forbeckcom-20" target="_blank">Brave New World: Revolution</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00BCN1TS6/forbeckcom-20" target="_blank">Hard Times in Dragon City</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00CRQJ1NM/forbeckcom-20" target="_blank">Dangerous Games: How to Play</a> </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
And some of our buddies have FREE books out there, too. You never need to go without a book!<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goblintown-Justice-Shotguns-Sorcery-Forbeck-ebook/dp/B0077HPBCG/" target="_blank">Goblintown Justice</a> by Matt Forbeck</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Intentions-Earl-Scandalous-Sisters-Book-ebook/dp/B004NNVB9E/" target="_blank">Intentions of the Earl</a> by Rose Gordon </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sake-Sin-Suzie-Grant-ebook/dp/B0052N9ZJM/" target="_blank">For the Sake of Sin</a> by Suzie Grant </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emperors-Edge-Lindsay-Buroker-ebook/dp/B004H1TDB0/" target="_blank">The Emperor's Edge</a> by Lindsay Buroker</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QP63LI/" target="_blank">Amethyst</a> by Lauren Royal </li>
</ul>
*All books on this list are 99-cents. Any books that change price above 99-cents will become ineligible and will be removed. We're not made of money, people!<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a545bb0/" id="rc-a545bb0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
Find out more about Sue and Rose at the following links:<br />
Sue London, Author <a href="http://bysuelondon.com/">http://bysuelondon.com</a><br />
Rose Gordon, Author <a href="http://www.rosegordon.net/">http://www.rosegordon.net/</a><br />
<br />
Thanks for sponsorship from <a href="http://www.parchmentandplume.com/" target="_blank">Parchment & Plume</a>!! Check out all of their current and upcoming releases!Sue Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12820606642097170654noreply@blogger.com0